| 11/11/2013 9:41:16 PM |
Why come out? |
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sharper170
Forest Park, GA
49, joined Jul. 2013
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I was having a discussion with two other people that were struggling with their belief in a god and how to talk to their family and friends about it. They showed me the Youtube videos they had watched of other atheist coming out. I am like.....really?!?! Is it that serious? Do people feel they have to explain their belief or disbelief to others? Why? Is it the same way gay people feel a need to "come out" to the world? Again, why? How you perceive religion, politics, and sexuality should be your own business. People set themselves up for public scrutiny when they so call "come out". What do you think?
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| 11/14/2013 10:02:26 PM |
Why come out? |
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fishytime
Waynesville, NC
28, joined May. 2013
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Both the above answers aren't very good.
One person compared atheism to the same as any other religious belief system.
But this is far from the truth. Atheism is just the rejection of a claim. It is only a word used to describe the outrageous claim we are rejecting. Religion and and faith is the acceptance of a claim. Literally the opposite of what atheism is.
Coming out, as you put it, is the same as coming out as any fringe group. Being homosexual is a good example. People have a HUGE stigma towards those of certain groups. Gays get a LOT of heat. But more religious types will accept gay people than will accept non-religious people, obviously.
In fact, a poll from a few years back asked Americans what demographic they would be LEAST likely to vote for.
Atheism was the most likely demographic to be avoided at the polls.
Americans would elect a homosexual, a Muslim, a Jew, a Hispanic, and a female before they would vote for an Atheist.
The stigma associated with being atheist is almost outweighing that of homosexuality. Granted, there is still much more violence towards homosexuals, I won't argue that. However in general, when it comes to non-violent association, you are more likely now to have someone say, "Oh, you're ATHEIST?" and have them make negative judgments on your character than if you admit to being gay.
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| 12/30/2013 10:48:38 PM |
Why come out? |
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truthwriter
Thomasville, GA
27, joined Jul. 2013
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Well I've been an atheist since I was 14 although I had been skeptical at times since I was about 4 years old after figuring out that I had been lied to about Santa Clause. At 14 I thought I was about one in a million and was reluctant to talk about it at first. But after finding out it wasn't that uncommon I've told what I believe if someone talks about religion to me. However, I don't want an atheist license plate because I'd be afraid someone would damage my car.
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| 1/2/2014 3:50:20 AM |
Why come out? |
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greekusurper
Phoenix, AZ
30, joined Feb. 2009
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I was having a discussion with two other people that were struggling with their belief in a god and how to talk to their family and friends about it. They showed me the Youtube videos they had watched of other atheist coming out. I am like.....really?!?! Is it that serious? Do people feel they have to explain their belief or disbelief to others? Why? Is it the same way gay people feel a need to "come out" to the world? Again, why? How you perceive religion, politics, and sexuality should be your own business. People set themselves up for public scrutiny when they so call "come out". What do you think?
It comes from a need to be accepted...I came out...and my family rejected me...all but my mom and oldest sister. I found out who my friends were. I found out who I could trust with my opinions, who would respect them. I think its different for me than most people though. My whole family is super religious, so declaring my beleifs was very difficult but neccesary.
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| 1/11/2014 9:03:41 AM |
Why come out? |
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duchessa
Yonkers, NY
64, joined Aug. 2008
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It comes from a need to be accepted..
I don't think it has anything to do with "being accepted" but with the fact we have the same rights as any other citizen. Why an Atheist in the Armed Forces must attend Sunday services? Why an Atheist can't hold office? Why an Atheist is supposed to keep his/ her ideas to him/herself? Why an Atheist is automatically seen as a sinner by those who cheat on their spouses, beat their kids or don't pay their bills? Why an Atheist is regarded as evil for not sharing the believers' opinions?
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| 5/20/2014 11:56:47 AM |
Why come out? |
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ramanujan1729
Montclair, NJ
36, joined Jan. 2014
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I'm lucky to live in a state where being an atheist is not that big of deal to those who are religious. Sadly, as I understand it, this isn't the case everywhere and "coming out" as an atheist can be a major shock in other parts of the country. While I personally don't feel the need to advertise to everybody that I'm an atheist, I understand that it can be a difficult piece of information for some people to share with their religious friends and families.
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| 5/28/2014 2:17:03 PM |
Why come out? |
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blakwho
Goshen, IN
45, joined Mar. 2014
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there's really no reason to come out... you know how you feel you know what you are inside regardless of what anyone else thinks... the only person I really felt pressure to reveal this to was my kids... other than that who really cares???
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| 7/24/2014 6:18:17 PM |
Why come out? |
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duchessa
Yonkers, NY
64, joined Aug. 2008
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ramanujan1729
No, is not difficult...and all depends on how much power a person is willing to allow friends / relatives to have on him / her.
See, the way I understand the situation is as follow: According to the believers I can't say I won't attend your religious wedding / kid's baptism (communion) or even a relative's religious services for his / her funeral BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD. No, they see my position as disrespectful...while, in reality, they are disrespecting my right to state my opinions, ideas and convictions.
i am glad I was born in a country that approved the "medical abortion" not even after six months one of its citizen was named Pope.
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| 7/24/2014 6:22:29 PM |
Why come out? |
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duchessa
Yonkers, NY
64, joined Aug. 2008
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there's really no reason to come out... you know how you feel you know what you are inside regardless of what anyone else thinks... the only person I really felt pressure to reveal this to was my kids... other than that who really cares???
I give you a reason.
A very good friend of mine is so much a believer as to officiate mass in her own home. She invited me countless times to attend...until I told her I am an Atheist.
The friendship remains as strong as ever but I don't have to make silly excuses "no to hurt her feelings."
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| 8/4/2014 8:37:31 PM |
Why come out? |
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cleverlicious
Georgetown, TX
36, joined Apr. 2014
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I have no problem yelling my beliefs. That's pretty silly if people are having that issue, op.
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| 8/8/2014 6:08:22 AM |
Why come out? |
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duchessa
Yonkers, NY
64, joined Aug. 2008
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I have no problem yelling my beliefs. That's pretty silly if people are having that issue, op.
I had people get up and walk away when told I am an Atheist....others have called me a sinner. I don't give a d...m about their ignorance.
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| 8/8/2014 3:00:29 PM |
Why come out? |
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cleverlicious
Georgetown, TX
36, joined Apr. 2014
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I had people get up and walk away when told I am an Atheist....others have called me a sinner. I don't give a d...m about their ignorance.
Exactly. Why give a shit.
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